BS SHOW BIZ BUZZ:
France is all abuzz about recently divorced president Nicolas Sarkozy’s new love interest – model-turned-singer Carla Bruni – whom he was spotted squiring around Disneyland Paris (hey, they’ve got a Mickey Mouse president too!) . . . The upcoming makeover of 1980s cult TV series “Knight Rider” will feature Toronto actor Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”) as the voice of the artificially-intelligent sports car ‘KITT’ (he previously did voice-over ad work as a GMC truck) . . . Since her debut as ‘Celie’ in “The Color Purple” on Broadway earlier THIS YEAR, “American Idol” alum Fantasia has missed nearly 50 performances, which requires producers to refund or exchange tickets (“I can’t come in, my grandmother died … again”) . . . Director Julie Taymor wants her “Across the Universe” co-stars, Evan Rachel Wood & Jim Sturgess, to play the leads in the upcoming “Spider-Man” stage musical she’s working on with U2’s Bono (but he still hasn’t found who he’s looking for) . . . It’s confirmed – Jessica Simpson & Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo are an item, she attending the Boys’ last home game wearing his #9 jersey . . . “X Files” co-stars David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson are reportedly trying to persuade producers of the now-shooting new movie to nix an explicit love scene between ‘Mulder’ & ‘Scully’ (negotiations are said to be on-going) . . . And “High School Musical” star Ashley Tisdale has suffered a panic attack onstage in NYC after her recent rhinoplasty (aka ‘nose job’) left her struggling for breath (funny, when she started singing much of the audience felt the same way).

BS MUSIC NOTES:
• Akon – He’s been named top ‘Artist of the Year’ by trade magazine “Billboard”, based on radio airplay and chart success in 2007.
• Chris Cornell – He’s asking for a restraining order against a former sheriff’s deputy he claims is out to harm him & his family. According to documents filed in LA court, Cornell claims his ex, Susan Silver, hired the former cop … to kill him.
• Chris de Burgh – The 59-year-old ‘80s pop singer from the UK (“The Lady in Red”) may become the first Western artist to perform in Iran since the 1979 revolution if reports of a 2008 concert prove true. Word has it he’ll perform with Iranian pop band Arian.
• Kenny Chesney – He’s co-produced Willie Nelson’s new album, “Moment Of Forever”, co-written one of the songs, and also duets with him on “Worry B Gone”.
• Tim McGraw – He & fellow country singer Dwight Yoakim have roles in the now-shooting romantic comedy movie “Four Christmases”, which stars Reese Witherspoon & Vince Vaughn.

TODAY’S SHOW BIZ SKED:
• Brian McKnight – He guests on “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (CBS).
• Cher – She’s on a vintage edition of “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS).
• Colbie Caillat [‘call-lay’] – The California folkie performs on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” (syndicated/CityTV).
• Goo Goo Dolls – They’re the musical giests on a “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” rerun (NBC).
• Gym Class Heroes – They’re on a new edition of “Last Call With Carson Daly” (NBC).
• Kelly Pickler – THIS MORNING she’s on the “Today Show” (NBC).
• White Stripes – Their recent collaboration with Beck is released as 3 different colored vinyl singles, each featuring the track “Conquest” and a new song co-produced by Beck.

TODAY’S VIDEO RELEASES:
• “Balls of Fury” ( Action Comedy ): A former pro table tennis player involves himself in a secret society that takes its clandestine ping-pong tournaments very seriously. His goal is to beat an arch rival, the man who killed his father. Stars Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken & George Lopez.
• “Halloween” ( Horror Thriller ): A remake of the classic 1978 slasher flick, directed by rocker-turned-filmmaker Rob Zombie. After being committed for 17 years, convicted murderer ‘Michael Myers’ is mistakenly released from a mental institution and goes on another killing spree. Stars Tyler Mane as ‘Myers’ and Malcolm McDowell as the psychiatrist who treats him. Also available in a ‘2-Disc Special Edition, Unrated Director’s Cut’.
• “Illegal Tender” ( Urban Drama ): A hard-studying college student is forced to step up and protect his mother when she becomes terrorized by the same man who murdered his father years earlier. Stars Rick Gonzalez & Wanda De Jesus.
• “The Last Legion” ( Action Adventure ): In this period epic, a soldier escapes the crumbling Roman empire as barbarians invade and embarks on a fantastic adventure in which he forms a band of legionaries who are determined to save the emperor. Cast includes Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley & Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai.
• “The Simpsons Movie” ( Animated Comedy ): ‘Homer’ (voice of Dan Castellaneta) must save his beloved hometown of ‘Springfield’ from a total idiot (himself) who has doomed it to destruction with a nuclear plant mishap. Co-stars the voices of Julie Kavner, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer & others.
• “Stardust” ( Fantasy Adventure ): A young man named ‘Tristan’ (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of ‘Victoria’ (Sienna Miller) by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. Co-stars Claire Danes, Peter O’Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro & Ricky Gervais.
• “Underdog” ( Disney Family Adventure ): Thanks to a lab accident, an everyday beagle is given superpowers, including the ability to speak (voiced by “My Name is Earl’s” Jason Lee). Donning a cape & tights he protects the citizens of ‘Capitol City’, particularly a pretty little spaniel named ‘Polly Purebread’. An update of the TV cartoon featuring a real dog in the lead role.
• ALSO released TODAY: “Blade Runner – 5-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition”; “Braveheart: Special Collector’s Edition”; “Cinderella II: Dreams Come True – Special Edition”; “National Treasure – 2-Disc Collector’s Edition”; and “One Tree Hill: The Complete Seasons 1-4“.

GOOGLE-PEDIA:
Google has kicked off an initiative to create an authoritative store of information on any and all topics. The web search giant has already begun inviting people in a variety of fields to write about the subject on which they are known to be an expert. Google says it will not act as editor for the project but will provide the tools and infrastructure for the pages. (It’ll be like Wikipedia … without all the made-up stuff.)
– AP

QE2 TO BE BRITAIN’S OLDEST MONARCH:
THIS WEEK Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II will pass another milestone in her reign when she becomes the oldest monarch in the nation’s history. She will overtake Queen Victoria, but the event will pass without any fanfare at Buckingham Palace. Victoria died January 22, 1901, aged 81 years, 7 months, 4 weeks, and 1 day. On SATURDAY, the present Queen, who will be 82 on April 21st, will have outlived her great-great-grandmother. (Wow, that’s a lot of time to spend on the throne. Believe me, I know.)
– “Daily Telegraph“

CAFFEINE CREAM:
Caffeine not only helps you stay awake but a cream made from it may also help tone your thighs. In tests conducted by Brazil’s Federal University , 80% of women who used the product reduced the circumference of their thighs and 68% reduced the size of their hips. However, it is still unclear whether it works because caffeine drives out cellulite. Researchers say exercise is still the best way to go. (Does it work if you spill coffee in your lap at the drive-thru?)
– Reuters

FISHY RADIO:
A miniature fish tank that doubles as a speaker has drawn the ire of animal rights activists in Australia. The so-called ‘iPond’ has a fish tank that is 15-times smaller than recommended for the size of the fish the device contains. The $70 radios are flying off store shelves even though the local SPCA claims the minuscule tanks are far too small to provide the fish with an adequate oxygen supply and clean habitat. Typically, it’s Siamese fighting fish that are sold with the ‘iPond’. (Our crack promotion department is working on a novelty radio that also serves as a kitty litter box. Clever!)
– “Melbourne Sun-Herald”

SWAPPING SPIT IS OKAY:
Contrary to popular belief, kissing someone will NOT increase your likelihood of catching a cold. Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University in Wales says you generally don’t get the virus through kissing someone, because it isn’t carried in the mouth’s saliva. The common cold virus is more often found in the mucus of the nose and chest. (Ew! Still feel like kissing?)
– PA News

PAGAN PARTY TIME:
After it was announced the Christmas display at City Hall in Green Bay WI would also be open to other ‘religious expressions’, a pagan Yule wreath encircling a gold Wiccan pentacle has been added … right next to the Christian nativity scene. The wreath, about 3-ft in diameter, is used by Wiccans to celebrate Winter Solstice. Local Wiccan leader Selena Fox notes that many customs associated with Christmas — including evergreens, mistletoe, gift exchanges, light displays, and – yes – wreaths, all had their origins in pagan Winter Solstice traditions of antiquity. (This is silly. There’s only one religion in Green Bay … Packerism, led by Rev Favre!)
– UPI
HAUTE TECHNOLOGY:
Observers say we’re on the brink of an ‘intelligent apparel’ revolution that will make clothing do much more than just cover the body. Among the innovations on the horizon: suits that power your iPod; shorts that chill your beer; dresses that can be programmed to fit perfectly; socks that mend themselves; and cellphone shirts (just speak into the collar). In recent years, ‘smart clothing’ has progressed significantly from wearable computers to intelligent fabrics that can conduct electricity, change shape, and even color. Among the other landmark design enhancements set to hit the market … self-adjusting underwear. (Ahhhhh.)
– AFP

DID YOU KNOW?
Too much snow can drive a person crazy. Pibloktoq, a little-understood hysteria seen in people living in the Arctic, can cause a wide range of symptoms, including echolalia (senseless repetition of overheard words) and … running around naked in the snow.
– “Discover Magazine”

• “International Migrants Day”, a day of solidarity for migrant workers, on the anniversary of the UN’s 1990 adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrants Workers & Members of Their Families. Circa 17,000 migrant farm workers come to Canada each year to pick fruits & vegetables.
NET: http://www.december18.net/web/general/start.php

• “Let’s See What We Find In the Fridge Day”, a day to be brave and eat something from the back of the refrigerator. Ask listeners for their grossest discoveries.

BS SIGNS YOU’RE GETTING TOO OLD TO PARTY:
• Whenever you arrive, you hear “[cough] narc [cough]” a lot.
• You don’t buy the cheapest pitcher of beer on the menu.
• The black-light in the club really shows up the grey in your hair.
• You keep asking if they can turn the music down.
• The cute girl that’s been eyeing you all night finally comes over & asks you if you’re her friend’s father.
• You ask the bartender if they have free wi-fi so you can check in with work.
• You head home early because you want to be able to get up in time to watch “Meet the Press”.
– BBSpot.com

BS RANDOM JOKE:
I’m NOT a procrastinator … doing all of your shopping on Christmas Eve guarantees that your loved ones will be receiving the freshest gifts possible!

BS WATER COOLER QUESTION:
Today’s Question: Only 3 TV shows went into history rated #1 when they ended: “I Love Lucy”, “The Andy Griffith Show” and THIS one.
Answer to Give Out Next Show: “Seinfeld”.

BS DEEP THOUGHT:
Wouldn’t it be nice if each day came with a ‘reset’ button?